M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2025 The M7 business schools represent seven distinct, vivid cultures – each with its own history, values, characteristics, opportunities, and challenges. Of course, there are many commonalities among the M7 schools, as well: all are highly competitive, offer robust academic resources, are supported by committed and…
Three Ways Writing About Obstacles Strengthens Your Application Essays
When crafting application essays – whether for graduate school, business school, or any other competitive program – applicants often focus on highlighting their accomplishments. And it’s easy to understand why. Most candidates are eager to share their significant achievements, such as leading a groundbreaking project, making a meaningful impact through research, or spearheading a successful…
Admissions Advice for MBA Management Consulting Applicants
Are you a practicing management consultant applying to business school? If so, you have several advantages over the general applicant. Mainly, your success as a consultant reveals that your work ethic, analytical abilities, and teamwork skills are probably better than most people’s. As a result, MBA programs will likely give you the benefit of the…
The GMAT, GRE, and Your MBA Admissions Profile
Tackling the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) is probably the least “fun” part of the MBA application process. If you’re hoping to gain admission to a top MBA program, however, the admissions exam is an essential component that you’ll want to dedicate sufficient time, energy, and focus to. Many candidates wait too late and…
Seven Tips for Your Lauder Institute Interview
When I was director of admissions marketing and financial aid at the Lauder Institute, I would often be asked by anxious applicants how best to prepare for the Lauder interview. If you apply to Lauder’s joint degree program with the Wharton MBA or the Penn Law JD program, you will need to do two admissions…
Nine Tips for Team Interviews
During my time as director of admissions marketing and financial aid at the Lauder Institute’s MA program with Wharton’s MBA, I was lucky enough to get to interview applicants for both programs, including running Wharton’s Team Based Discussion. Wharton is somewhat unique with respect to the team-based interview format, but working as part of a…
The Top Eight MBA Programs for Consulting
The good news for anyone looking to pivot into consulting post-MBA is that the major consulting companies – such as McKinsey & Company, Bain, and BCG – recruit from all the top MBA programs. As a former campus recruiter for McKinsey, I can attest that the firm has recruiters who are aligned with leading business…
How to Project Confidence, Professionalism, and Positivity in Your Essays
So you’ve sat down and brainstormed, and you’re now ready to hit the ground running with your essays. Great! You might be wondering how to best convey your reasons for pursuing graduate school to the admissions committees. What kind of tone or approach should you use? A good rule of thumb is to project three…
HEC Paris MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024-2025], Class Profile
While the number of essays HEC Paris wants you to submit as part of its MBA application might initially be daunting, you should view them as a wonderful opportunity to share aspects of your whole self in telling your story. The adcom is looking to gain insight into your hopes, dreams, and accomplishments and into…
INSEAD MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2024 – 2024]
Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of essays, including job descriptions, that INSEAD asks you to provide. The wonderful thing about the INSEAD application is that you’ll leave no stone unturned when describing your background to the adcom, including your professional experiences, career goals, and personal and academic background. INSEAD wants to learn all about…
Oxford Saïd MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024 – 2025]
My first piece of advice when approaching any essay for your business school application is to read the program’s website. You might be thinking to yourself, “Yeah, no kidding!” But when I say read the website, I mean thoroughly review all aspects of it, including videos, brochures, course descriptions, faculty profiles – everything! You first…
University of Washington Foster School of Business MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024 – 2025]
Are you seeking an MBA program with a strong record of job placement in the technology industry? If so, the University of Washington Foster School of Business might be an excellent choice for you. Almost 40% of Foster’s Class of 2023 joined the tech sector after graduation, while 29% entered consulting. In terms of function,…
Want an MBA or JD with a Focus on International Studies? Consider UPenn’s Lauder Program!
During my time as the director of admissions marketing and financial aid at the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, where I served on the admissions committee for more than seven years, I often heard candidates react with surprise when they learned how seamlessly the school’s master in international studies joint degree program fits…
Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024-2025], Class Profile
Wharton has not changed its application essay questions for several seasons now. This is usually a sign that the admissions committee is happy with the kind of essays applicants are providing in response. Wharton asks candidates to share what they plan to do with their MBA in the short and long term and to discuss…
Highlighting Your Leadership Experience in Your Application
Mike knew that an intern on his team was struggling with speaking up on client projects, so he mentored the individual throughout the summer and encouraged them to take on a key role on a final presentation. Amy worked part-time throughout college but still found ways to volunteer as a Big Sister, all while earning…